Cupping therapy is also known as cupping massage or myofascial decompression – involves placing specialized cups on targeted areas of the skin to create suction. This ancient Chinese technique is an alternative form of therapy that has been used historically to complement traditional forms of care for various chronic illnesses and conditions.

This alternative form of therapy became popular in the mainstream media when Michael Phelps showed up to a swim meet at the 2016 Olympics with bruising and redness on his back – which is a normal and expected side effect of a cupping therapy session.

The cups used in cupping therapy were historically made of bamboo or ceramic. Now, the cups used are made of glass or rubber with a big, glass-like ball on top. Your practitioner will use negative pressure directly on soft tissues to suction, creating an environment that will draw the skin and muscles upward into the cup. The cups used are typically warmed up prior to being placed on your skin. Once they cool, the suction effect will begin.